United Way hosting school supply drive

The United Way of Scioto County is sponsoring a school supply drive to help students who might not be able to purchase supplies for the starting school year.

“The shame and ridicule that they face can be unbearable and heart wrenching. A pack of pencils may only be 79 cents, but to a family with more than one child in the household, or to a family who has lost their job, this can become a burden for them to acquire,” Mary Ann Miars-Peercy, executive director of the United Way, said.

For the past several years the United Way has provided school supplies to students in need. This year, new school supplies will be distributed to 5,100 students enrolled in public schools, grades kindergarten through 12, throughout Scioto County. The United Way has partnered with the Scioto Foundation and Bihls Office Supply to assist in this project. Businesses are encouraged to host a drive and involve their employees.

“We encourage individuals that are able to purchase supplies, to purchase extra, contribute those supplies to us and allow us to provide and distribute these much needed supplies to a child in need,” Miars-Peercy states.

School supply items can be dropped off at the Portsmouth Area Chamber of Commerce office, located at 342 Second St., in Portsmouth, or at the United Way office, located at 1671 Grant St., in Portsmouth. In addition to donating supplies yourself, Miars-Peercy suggested organizing a drive at your place of business, church, or recreational facility; or volunteer your time to help us sort supplies and distribute those supplies to the school districts in Scioto County.

To receive more information about the United Way, or to donate school supplies, contact the office at 740-353-5121, visit the office, or by e-mail at liveunited@uwsciotocounty.org.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 287, or rottney@civitasmedia.com. For breaking news, follow Ryan on Twitter @PDTwriter.

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